An evergreen tree reaching 6 – 15 m in height. Bark dark brown to brown; branches needle-shaped; leaves sessile with sheathing bases and short petioles; flowers pink or white, nearly sessile. Fruit is a conical capsule; seeds are numerous, smooth and elongate-ribbon shaped.
Scintefic Name
Tamarix aphylla (L.) H.Karst
Family
Tamaricaceae
Native Range
Arabian Peninsula; South-Central Asia; Mediterranean countries; North, West, and East Africa
Distribution in Saudi Arabia
Widely distributed across valleys, sandy plains, and highlands throughout most regions of Saudi Arabia.
Importance
It is cultivated as a windbreak and for stabilizing sand dunes. Its wood is of high quality and used in manufacturing and construction. Its flowers are highly valued in honey production and are a key resource for beekeepers in Saudi Arabia.
Sand dune environments, wadi channels, highland plateaus, and floodplains
Light, sandy, sandy-loam, alkaline and saline soils
Full sun exposure
Soil pH ranging from 8.4 to 8.6
Elevation range
0 – 1800 m above sea level
Propagation methods
Seeds – Seedlings – Cuttings
Planting season
February
Irrigation
Low requirement
Fertilization
Care
Prune after flowering to remove dead branches and encourage vegetative growth
Toxicity Risks
None reported
Pests and diseases
Susceptible to certain fungal infections
Flowering period
October – February
Growth rate
Rapid
Drought tolerance
Hhigh
Drenching
Low
Salinity tolerance
< 1 000 ppm
Temperature range
28 – 45 °C
